Method of distributing and containing processing fluid between superposed sheets



Jan. 12, 1965 J. A. HAMILTON 3,165,048

METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING AND CONTAINING PROCESSING FLUID BETWEEN SUPERPOSED SHEETS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 26. 1961 ATTORNEYS Jan. 12, 1965 J. A. HAMILTON METHOD OF DISTR G N I m C m S M m M S I D H E N S m m w A S G N m E T E U W M I B D m L F.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 26. 1961 ATTORNEYS IIIIIIIIIIIIII II I I United States Patent METHOD OF DISTRIBUTKNG AND CUNTAINING PROCESSING FLUID BETWEEN SUPERPOSED SHEETS Joel A. Hamilton, West Medway, Mass, assignor to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass, a corporation of Delaware Filed May 26, 1961, Ser. No. 112,950 4 Claims. (Cl. 95-89) This invention relates to photographic method for processing photographic film units and particularly to novel and improved method for distributing a processing fluid in a layer between a pair of superposed sheets to effect the formation of a photographic image between said sheets.

A number of photographic processes have been proposed in which a pair of sheets are superposed and moved in superposition relative to and between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members which distribute a processing fluid in a layer between the superposed sheets to effect the formation of a visible photographic image in an exposed photosensitive material comprising a layer between the outer surfaces of the sheets. The fluid is usually quite viscous and may be provided in a rupturable container located between the superposed sheets and adapted to release its fluid contents for distribution between the sheets when subjected to compressive pressure. Processes of this type have been termed dry because the fluid is confined at all times between the outer surfaces of the sheets and does not contact the apparatus employed to process the sheets, i.e., distribute the fluid.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of spreading a photographic processing fluid in a layer between a pair of superposed sheets and confining the fluid between the sheets and preventing escape of the fluid from between the margins of the sheets during spreading of the fluid.

Other objects of the invention are: to provide photographic method of the type described in which the superposed sheets are moved between a pair of juxtaposed rolls for spreading the processing fluid, and the rolls include means for confining the fluid between the sheets and to provide a method as described wherein escape of the fluid from between the margins of the sheets is prevented by imparting a bending stress to lateral marginal portions of the sheets during spreading of the fluid.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the process involving the several steps and the relation and order of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view, partially in section, of photographich apparatus in the form of a camera for practicing the method of the invention, the section being taken substantially midway between the sides of the camera;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of pressure-applying members showing, in section, the sheets of a film unit located between the pressure-applying members and illustrating the operation of the pressureapplying members;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a photo- 3,165,048 Patented Jan. 12, 1965 ice graphic film unit useful in the methode of the inventiorij FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially midway between the sides of a film pack comprising an assemblage of film units of the type shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view similar to FIG. 4 and showing one film unit with the components thereof spaced apart to illustrate more clearly the construction and arrangement of the film unit.

The pressureapplying means employed in the method of the invention isshown in FIG. 1 incorporated in the structure of photographic apparatus in the form of a hand-held camera, designated 86, comprising a housing including a forward section 88 having a forward wall 90 with a recessed or re-entrant section 92 and an aperture 94 in the re-entrant section for transmitting light for exposing photosensitive materials positioned for exposure within the camera. A hinged door 96 is provided for covering recessed section 92 and for mounting a conventional lens and shutter assembly 93, the latter being connected to recessed section 92 by a collapsible bellows 100 secured at one end to the lens and shutter assembly and secured at its other end to the recessed section in surrounding relation to aperture 94. In lieu of door 96, lens and shutter assembly 98 and bellows 100, the camera housing can be constructed in the form of a camera back or film pack adapter intended to be mounted on or coupled with a camera or other photographic exposure device, including devices for holding photosensitive materials to be exposed by penetrative radiation and processing such materials.

The camera housing includes a rear section 102 having a rear wall 104, side walls 106 cooperating with forward housing section 88 to provide a chamber 108 to the rear of forward wall 90 and aperture 94 for containing a photosensitive film unit, in this case, an assemblage of film units in the form of a pack, in position for exposure through aperture 94. The film pack (see FIG. 4) is mounted within chamber 108 and is supported against the rear surface of re-entrant section 92. Rear housing section 102 is preferably pivotably secured to forward housing section 88 adjacent one end of the housing, herein shown and designated for purposes of description as the upper end, by a hinge which permits the two housing sections to be moved apart from one another to allow loading of photographic materials into chamber 108. The camera housing includes a lower end wall comprising end wall 89 on forward housing section 88 and another end wall 103 on rear housing section 102. A film withdrawal passage 110 is provided in lower end wall 103 of the housing to permit withdrawal of a film unit from the housing. Suitable latch means (not shown) of a conventional type are also provided in the lower portion of the housing for retaining the two housing sections together in the closed or operative position shown in the drawings.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3 through 5 of the drawings wherein there is illustrated one form of photographic film assemblage useful in the method of the invention. The film assemblage comprises a plurality of film units, each designated 10, and including a generally rectangular photosensitive sheet 12 and a second or print-receiving sheet 14. Both of these sheets comprise a support which is opaque to light actinic to the photosensitive material of the photosensitive sheet. This photosensitive material comprises a layer of any of the conventional photographic recording media in which an image is formed by exposure to actinic light, gelatino silver halide emulsions being the preferred material, carried on a light-opaque flexible sheet such as paper, organic plastics and the like. The second or print-receiving sheet may merely serve to aid in the distribution of a processing fluid in contact with the photosensitive layer or, in the preferred form of film unit, comprises means for supporting a transfer image formed, for example, by a silver halide diffusion transfer-reversal process. Attached to the leading edge of the photosensitive sheet is a leader sheet 16 having a first section 18 at which leader sheet 16 is coupled with the photosensitive sheet. First section 18 is approximately equal in width to the photosensitive sheet and provides means for mounting a rupturable container 22 of processing fluid. Leader sheet 16 also includes a tapered end section 2t Second sheet 14 is mounted on a carrier sheet 24 having an intermediate section 26 approximately equal in widthto second sheet 14 and having therein a generally rectangular opening 28 defining the area of the second sheet in contact with which the processing fluid is spread andin which image formation occurs. Second sheet 14 is secured to intermediate section 26 so that the portions of the intermediate section bordering an opening 28, including lateral marginal portions 2?, provide a mask for defining the image area and cooperating in spreading of the processing fluid. Carrier sheet 24 includes a leading end section 34) having a tapered end portion 32 similar to tapered end section 20 and secured thereto intermediate the ends of tapered end section 243 and tapered end portion 32 of leading end section 3i). Tapered end section 24 and end portion 32 cooperate to define the leading end section of the film unit.

A trailer sheet. 36 is provided secured to the trailing edge of photosensitive sheet 12 and cooperates with a trailing end section 34 of carrier sheet 24 which extends beyond the trailing edge of the second sheet to trap any excess processing fluid which may be carried beyond the trailing ends of the photosensitive and second sheets during distribution of the processing fluid. Distribution of the processing fluid, as previously mentioned, is effected by advancing the photosensitive and second sheets and container of processing fluid in superposition relative to and between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members. The members apply compressive pressure to the sheets progressively, commencing in the area of the container, and cause ejection of the fluid contents of the container between'the sheets and spreading of the fluid in a layer between and in contact with the sheets. To aid intrapping of excess fluid, spacing members 38 are provided on trailing. end section 34 adjacent the margins thereof for spacing apart the pressure-applying members to provide a gap between trailing end section 34 and trailer sheet 36 in which any excess processing fluid is collected and retained.

Rupturable container 22 is of the type shown and described in Patent No. 2,543,181, issued February 27, 1951, in the name of Edwin H. Land, and comprises a rectangular blank of fluidand air-impervious sheet material folded longitudinally upon itself to provide two walls which are bounded together at their margins to form an elongated cavity for the processing fluid. The longitudinal seal is Weaker than the end seals and is adapted to become unsealed in response to hydraulic pressure generated within the fluid contents of the container by the application of compressive pressure thereto. Container 22 is mounted on first section 1.8 of leader sheet 16 with the longitudinal edge, which is adapted to become unsealed, directed toward the leading edge of the photosensitive sheet.

The fluid contents of the container are preferably adapted to effect the formation of a positive transfer print produced, for example, by a silver halide diffusion transfer-reversal process supported on print-receiving sheet 14 in the area thereof defined by opening 28 in carrier sheet 24. For a detailed description of examples of the compositions of processing fluids, materials useful for the photosensitive and print-receiving sheets and processes performed by such materials, reference may be had to the above-mentioned Patent No. 2,543,181 and to Patent No. 2,662,822, issued December 15, 1953, in the name of Edwin H. Land.

A film pack or assemblage of film units It is shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. This film pack, designated 49,

comprises a generally parallelepiped-shaped container or box 42 for holding and enclosing a plurality of film units It). Container 42 is shown as comprising two sections, including a forward section having a forward wall 44, side walis 46, a trailing end wall 43 and a leading end Wall St). Forward wall 4% is provided with an exposure aperture 52 for transmitting light for exposing the photosensitive sheets of fiim units carried within the container. Leading end wall 50 cooperates with the rear section of the container to provide a passage 56 at the leading end of the container through which film units carried by the container are withdrawn. The rear section of the container comprises a rear wall 54 secured to side walls 45'. The arrangement of each film unit within container 42 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5, with the arrangement of a plurality of film units (two are shown) being illustrated in FIG. 4. Each film unit is arranged with the photosensitive and second sheets in generally overlying relation with the leading and trailing ends of the photo sensitive sheet disposed adjacent, respectively, the trailing and leading ends of the second sheet. The film pack is provided with a generally flat, rectangular pressure plate d8 located intermediate photosensitive sheet 12 and the other portions of the film unit for supporting the photosensitive sheet against the inner surface of forward wall 44 in position for exposure through aperture 52. Pressure plate 58 includes it rolled end section 6t around.

which extends a curved portion of leader sheet in intermediate the leading edge of the photosensitive sheet and container 42. Rolled end section as is provided for guid ing photosensitive sheet 12 around the end of the pres sure plate. The major portion of first section M of leader sheet 16, rupturable container 22 mounted thereon, tapered section 2'0 and the leading end section 30 of carrier sheet 24 are located behind pressure plate 53 between the latter and second sheet 14. Pressure plate 58 is provided with lateral flanges 62 disposed adjacent side walls 46 of the container, and these flanges are engaged by springs (not shown) on the rear wall of the container for biasing pressure plate 58 toward forward wall 44 to retain the photosensitive sheet in position for exposure. Rear wall 54 is also provided with a U-shaped opening or enlarged notch 66 in the end portion thereof adjacent opening 56, the purpose of opening 66 to be described hereinafter.

As a means for withdrawing each film unit from the container with the photosensitive and print-receiving sheets in superposition and advancing tapered end section 2t) between a pair of pressure-applying members, each film unit is provided with a relatively narrow elongated leader 7d secured at the trailing end of the leader to tapered end section 2t} intermediate first section 18 and the point of attachment of the tapered end section to tapered end portion 32. Leader 70 may be T-shaped, as shown, at its trailing end, with laterally extending arms 71 at which the leader is secured to the tapered end section. Leader 70 extends from container 42 through opening 56 and, when drawn from the container, pulls photosensitive sheet 12 around rolled end section 60 of pressure plate 58 into superposition with second sheet 14 and then advances the two sheets in superposition within the 68 of the pressure plate by suitable means such as staples 74.

Film pack 40 is provided with means for initially sealing aperture 52 against the admission of light until the pack has been loaded into the camera in which it is to be emplyoed. This light-sealing means comprises a cover sheet 76 (double) of light-impervious material located b tween the foremost photosensitive sheet and forward wall 44 across opening-52. Cover sheet 76extends around the curved end of the pressure plate behind the latter to a position against rear wall 54 with the leading end of the cover sheet located adjacent passage 56. An elongated leader 78, similar to leader 70, is secured to cover sheet 76 at a position thereon spaced inwardly from the leading end of the cover sheet to provide means for withdrawing cover sheet 76 from container 42 after the pack has been loaded into a camera.

The pressure-applying members are in the form of pressure-applying rolls 114 and 11s mounted within the lower portion of chamber 1% adjacent film withdrawal passage 110. Pressure-applying rolls 114 and 116 are mounted for rotation with their axes substantially in a common plane, and resilient means are provided for biasing the rolls toward one another into juxtaposition so as to apply compressive pressure to a film unit during movement of the film unit between the rolls. The pressure-applying rolls cooperate to form a passage therebetween which converges and then diverges and through which the film unit is moved for effecting the processing of the film unit, and this passage between the rolls is located in substantial alignment with withdrawal passage 11th. In the apparatus shown in the drawings, both pressure-applying rolls are mounted on rear housing section 102 so that when the housing sections are pivoted apart from one another, an assemblage of film units may be loaded into the camrea with the leaders thereof extending from the camera past and to one side (forward) of the pressureapplying rolls. Portions of end walls 8h and 1113 cooperate to define an opening 112 between the forward and rear housing sections through which the leaders extend from the camera housing.

The pressure-applying rolls 114- and 116 include, respectively, cylindrical intermediate sections 115 and 117 of substantially uniform diameter throughout their lengths which cooperate to spread the processing fluid between the photosensitive and second sheets. The intermediate section 115 of roll 114 has a length which exceeds the width of opening 23 in intermediate section 26 of carrier sheet 24, and the intermediate section 117 of roll 116 is slightly shorter but, nevertheless, exceeds the width of opening 28. Intermediate section 117 of roll 116 is provided at its ends with short sections or collars 120 having diameters slightly in excess of the diameter of the intermediate section, this difference in diameter being on the order of a few thousandths of an inch. Collars 120 are provided for the purpose of spacing the intermediate sections of the rolls apart from one another by a predetermined distance to provide a space between the photosensitive and second sheets in which the processing fluid is distributed. As the two sheets are moved between the pressure-applying rolls, collars 129 are supported on the marginal portions of the photosensitive and second sheets overlying lateral marginal portions 29 of intermediate section 26 of carrier sheet 24 bordering opening 28 so that the depth of the space between the photosensitive and second sheets and, hence, the thickness of the layer offiuid spread therein, is a function of the diameter of collars 120 and the thickness of the carrier sheet.

In accordance with the invention, the pressure-applying rolls include means for preventing the processing fluid from escaping between the lateral margins of the sheets as the fluid is being spread therebetween. In the form shown, this means comprises outwardly flared sections 122 adjacent the ends of roll 114. Roll 116 is provided with corresponding tapered sections 124 adjacent its ends.

The flared and tapered sections may be generally conic and are substantially congruent with one another so as to engage the marginal portions of the photosensitive and second sheets and impart bending stresses to these marginal portions which urge the inner adjacent surfaces of the sheets against one another at the margins of the sheets and prevent the escape of processing fluid from between the edges of the sheets. The bending stress, as it is applied to the sheets, is transmitted to portions of the sheets not in engagement with the presure-applying members, that is, portions of the sheets adjacent the pressure-applying members and being moved toward the pressure-applying members. This serves to prevent escape of the fluid from between the edges of the sheets as the sheets enter the convergent passage between the pressure-applying rolls.

in the camera shown, the leading end of each film unit is advanced between the pressure-applying members and, to permit this to be accomplished, the pressure-applying members are spaced a predetermined minimum distance apart to form a fixed minimum gap between the pressureapplying rolls. For this purpose, roll 11d is provided with disc-shaped flanges 11% at its ends adapted to engage end section 11$ of reduced diameter on the ends of roll 114.

Camera $6 also includes means for guiding tapered end section 20 of film unit 10 between pressure-applying rolls 114 and 116 in response to withdrawal movement of leader 70 past roll 114 to the front thereof and through opening 112. This guide means comprises a guide bar 130 mounted on rear housing section 102 closely adjacent roll 114 and having a substantially straight rear edge extending from side to side of the camera housing and lying substantially in a plane through the convergent passage between the pressure-applying rolls. An intermediate section 132 of guide bar 130 comprising the forward edge of the guide bar is curved toward roll 114 and is located with its forwardmost edge approximately in line with the forwardmost portion of roll 114. A pair of guide members 134 are mounted on guide bar 130 adjacent opposite sides of intermediate section 132 and include rear surfaces located in the plane of the rear edge of guide bar 130 and facing end surfaces spaced from one another by a distance slightly greater than the width of leader 70. A guide plate 136, approximately equal in length to the width of leader 70, is mounted on forward housing section 88 and extends toward the rear of the camera intermediate guide members 134 adjacent guide bar 130. Intermediate section 132 of guide bar 130, guide members 134 and guide plate 136 cooperate with one another to define a guide passage 138 having a width just slightly greater than the width of leader 70 so that the leader maybe moved through passage 138, but tapered end section 20, which is wider than leader 70, is unable to enter passage 138. The rear edges of guide bar 130 and guide plate 136 and the rear surfaces of guide members 134 function to support and guide tapered end section 20 of the film unit into the convergent passage between pressure-applying rolls 114 and 116 when leader 70 is withdrawn from the camera through opening 112. Edges 158 of the guide members cooperate, in the case of a leader 70 having arms 71, in initiating the tearing of arms 71 which are unable to pass between the guide members.

Film withdrawal passage is at least equal in width to the width of the film unit, whereas opening 112 is preferably of a width only sumcient to allow the passage of leader 70. Since it is desirable to allow only one leader at a time to project from the camera where the leader may be grasped, end wall 103 is provided with a recess, designated 146, adjacent passage 112 for holding the leading end sections of leaders 70. The leading end sections, designated 80, of leader 70 are folded back upon themselves and each leading end section is detachably adhered to the leader of the preceding film unit or to leader 78, and the folded leading end sections are con- 7 i tained within recess 1% which is provided with a resilient cover element 148. As a leader '78 or 7b is withdrawn through opening 112 the leading end section 3% of the next succeeding leader is unfolded and withdrawn from recess 146 so that the leading end section may be grasped outside of the camera. A convenient means for detachably securing each leading end section 849 to the previous leader is shown as comprising a piece of pressure-sensitive tape 84 secured to each leader so as to contact the leading end section of the next succeeding leader through an opening 82 provided in each leader.

As each photosensitive sheet 12 is being drawn within the pack around curved end dill of the pressure plate into superposed relation with a second sheet ll i, the second sheet tends to move, due to friction between the various sheet materials, and means are provided in the camera for restraining the second sheets againt such movement. This means comprises an elongated bar 150 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends in a housing 153 mounted on rear wall liliwithin chamber 1%. Bar 150 is biased by a spring 154 into a forward position with the end sections of the bar extending forwardly across the ends of withdrawal passage 56 in container 42 and, in this position, engages the leading edges of second sheets 14 for preventing movement of the second sheets toward the pressure-applying rolls. U-shaped opening 66 in rear wall 54 of the container allows room for housing 152, a portion of which extends into the container of the film pack.

In the operation of camera 86, a film pack 44) is loaded into the camera with leaders 7t) and 78 projecting from the camera through opening 112, and with the end section of leader '73 extending from recess l t-6. Leader 78 is then grasped and pulled from the camera for advancing the leading end of cover sheet 76 between the pressureapplying rolls through withdrawal passage 110 so that the cover sheet may be grasped and withdrawn from the camera. Following exposure of the foremost photosensitive sheet, the leading end section 86 of the leader 70 of the same film unit is then pulledfrom the camera advancing tapered end section 2t? of the film unit between the pressure-applying rolls and from the camera through passage 110. Leader 76 is pulled until it becomes detached from the leading end section of the film unit and, in this way, does not transfer with the subsequent advancement of the film unit between the pressure-applying rolls, which is effected by grasping tapered end section 20 and pulling the film unit from the camera.

Since certain changes may be made in the above process without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is: l. A method of distributing a liquid between and in contact with a pair of superposed sheets while preventing said liquid from escaping from between said sheets at the lateral edges thereof, said method comprising:

mounting a pair of rolls in juxtaposition for rotation about axes lying substantially in a common plane;

each of said rolls having a cylindrical intermediate section, one of said rolls having tapered sections at the ends of said intermediate section and the other of said rolls having outwardly flared sections at the ends of said intermediate section;

said rolls being juxtaposed with said tapered and flared sections generally congruent; superposing said sheets; providing a quantity of said liquid between said sheets on one of said sheets;

moving said sheets in superposition together with said liquid between said rolls with the medial portions of said sheets engaged between said intermediate sections of said rolls and the lateral marginal portions of said sheets engaged between said tapered and flared sections of said rolls;

retaining said rolls together so as to apply compressive pressure to said medial portions of said sheets and.

tween a pair of rolls mounted in juxtaposition for rotation about axes lying substantially in a common plane;

providing a quantity of said liquid between said sheets on one of said sheets; moving the medial portions of said sheets substantially in a plane between medial portions of said rolls while applying compressive pressure to said medial portions of said sheets along a line lying substantially in said plane containing the axes of rotation of said rolls; and

during movement of said sheets applying a bending stress to lateral marginal portions of said sheets located between end sections of said rolls to bend said lateral marginal portions out of said plane of said medial portions of said sheets to prevent escape of said liquid from between said lateral edges of said sheets as said liquid is being distributed, said marginal portions or" said sheets being bent by applying compressive pressure thereto with congruent tapered and flared sections at the ends of said rolls causing said marginal portions to conform substantially to said tapered and flared sections.

3. A method of distributing a liquid between and in contact with a pair of superposed sheets while preventing said liquid from escaping from between said sheets at the lateral edges thereof, said method comprising:

advancing said sheets in superposition relative to and between a pair of rolls mounted in juxtaposition for rotation about axes lying substantially in a common plane and each or" said rolls having cylindrical intermediate sections, one of said rolls having tapered sections at the ends of said intermediate section and the other of said rolls having outwardly flared sections at the ends of said intermediate section; providing a quantity of said liquid between said sheets on one of said sheets; during movement of said sheets between said rolls applying compressive pressure to portions of said sheets between said intermediate section to distribute said 7 liquid between said sheets and imparting bending stresses to marginal portions of said sheets between said tapered and flared sections to prevent escape of said liquid from between said lateral edges of said sheets as said liquid is being distributed. 4. A method of distributing a liquid between and in contact with a pair of superposed sheets while preventing said liquid from escaping from between said sheets at the lateral edges thereof, said method comprising:

advancing said sheets in superposition relative to and between a pair of rolls mounted in juxtaposition for rotation about axes lying substantially in a common plane and each of said rolls having cylindrical intermediate sections, one of said rolls having tapered sections at the ends of said intermediate section and the other of said rolls having outwardly flared sections at the ends of said intermediate section;

providing a quantity of said liquid between said sheets on one of said sheets; and

during movement of said sheets between said rolls applying compressive pressure to portions of said sheets 9 10 between said intermediate sections to distribute said References Cited in the file of this patent liquid between said sheets and imparting bending UNITED STATES PATENTS stresses to marginal portions of said sheets between said tapered and flared sections to prevent escape of 306562 Vincent 1884 said liquid from between said lateral edges of said 5 2,719,472 Land 1955 sheets as said liquid is being distributed; 2364312 Wolff sfipt- 1957 3,113,500 Eburn et al Dec. 10, 1963 said marginal portions of said sheets being compressed between said tapered and said flared sections of said rolls, the latter being generally congruent, to cause S PATENTS said marginal portions to conform to said sections. 10 106,834 Great Brltam June 4, 1917 

2. A METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING A LIQUID BETWEEN AND IN CONTACT WITH A PAIR OF SUPERPOSED SHEETS WHILE PREVENTING SAID LIQUID FROM ESCAPING FROM BETWEEN SAID SHEETS AT THE LATERAL EDGES THEREOF, SAID METHOD COMPRISING: MOVING SAID SHEETS IN SUPERPOSITION RELATIVE TO AND BETWEEN A PAIR OF ROLLS MOUNTED IN JUXTAPOSITION FOR ROTATION ABOUT AXES LYING SUBSTANTIALLY IN A COMMON PLANE; PROVIDING A QUANTITY OF SAID LIQUID BETWEEN SAID SHEETS ON ONE OF SAID SHEETS; MOVING THE MEDIAL PORTIONS OF SAID SHEETS SUBSTANTIALLY IN A PLANE BETWEEN MEDIAL PORTIONS OF SAID ROLLS WHILE APPLYING COMPRESSIVE PRESSURE TO SAID MEDIAL PORTIONS OF SAID SHEETS ALONG A LINE LYING SUBSTANTIALLY IN SAID PLANE CONTAINING THE AXES OF ROTATION OF SAID ROLLS; AND DURING MOVEMENT OF SAID SHEET APPLYING A BENDING STRESS OF LATERAL MARGINAL PORTIONS OF SAID SHEETS LOCATED BETWEEN END SECTIONS OF SAID ROLLS TO BEND SAID LATERAL MARGINAL PORTIONS OUT OF SAID PLANE OF SAID MEDIAL PORTIONS OF SAID SHEETS TO PREVENT ESCAPE OF SAID LIQUID FROM BETWEEN SAID LATERAL EDGES OF SAID SHEETS AS SAID LIQUID IS BEING DISTRIBUTED, SAID MARGINAL PORTIONS OF SAID SHEETS BEING BENT BY APPLYING COMPRESSIVE PRESSURE THERETO WITH CONGRUENT TAPERED AND FLARED SECTIONS AT THE ENDS OF SAID ROLLS CAUSING SAID MARGINAL PORTIONS TO CONFORM SUBSTANTIALLY TO SAID TAPERED AND FLARED SECTIONS. 